June 16: Allen's 11 strikeouts, Valera's homer lead Ducks' 1-0 win in Hartford

June 16 RubberDucks Game Recap | Box Score

Akron RubberDucks (35-25) 1, Hartford Yard Goats (38-22) 0

WP: Logan Allen (4-3) LP: Karl Kauffmann (4-3) Save: Jerson Ramírez (2)

Summary

RubberDucks left-hander Logan Allen struck out a career-high 11 batters in six innings and combined with three relievers on a three-hit shutout, while center fielder George Valera hit a solo home run in the sixth inning for a 1-0 win over the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Donuts Park Thursday night, giving Akron a fourth straight win and a one-game lead over Richmond in the Southwest Division with nine games remaining in the season’s first half.

Turning Point

In a scoreless game with one out in the top of the sixth inning, Valera shot a 3-0 pitch from Hartford right-hander Karl Kauffmann over the left-center field wall for his team-high 10th home run of the season. It was Valera’s team-high fourth go-ahead homer of the season and 12th that Akron has hit in nine games on the road trip.

Mound Presence

Allen worked around two hits and a walk in the first three innings. He struck out the side in the third and fourth innings, and he retired the final 10 batters he faced. Right-hander Brett Daniels struck out two batters and stranded a runner at second base in the seventh. Left-hander Eli Lingos got two outs in the eighth before allowing a single. Right-hander Jerson Ramírez got the final four outs to complete Akron’s fourth shutout. Hartford never moved a runner to third base.

Duck Tales

Akron loaded the bases against Kauffmann in the fourth inning with two walks and an infield single by right fielder Julian Escobedo. But Kauffmann escaped the threat by getting a groundout. Akron left five runners on base in the game.

Notebook

After no Akron pitcher struck out 11 batters in a game from 2017-2021, Allen became the fourth to do so this season, joining Daniel Espino (14 in Bowie April 23), Xzavion Curry (12 in Somerset June 10), and Hunter Gaddis (11 in Binghamton May 19). Only five other Eastern League pitchers have struck out 11 in a game this season…Thursday marked Akron’s first 1-0 win since Game 2 of an Aug. 14, 2021, doubleheader in Reading and first 1-0, nine-inning win since May 24, 2018, against Trenton…Akron’s starting pitcher has pitched into the sixth inning in eight of the nine games on the current road trip…The RubberDucks have won 11 straight games over the Yard Goats, whose last win in the series was June 20, 2018, at Canal Park in Akron…Game Time: 2:19…Attendance: 6,003.

On the Pond

The RubberDucks continue their six-game series in Hartford at 7:05 p.m. EDT Friday. Right-hander Xzavion Curry (4-2, 3.81 ERA) is scheduled to face Yard Goats right-hander Mitch Kilkenny (1-5, 7.55 ERA). The game broadcast, powered by FirstEnergy, is on 640 WHLO, the 640 WHLO iHeartRadio channel, and akronrubberducks.com, and available on MiLB.TV. Tickets for RubberDucks home games are available at akronrubberducks.com/tickets.